GERD (acid reflux) decisions — 2026

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a digestive system disability, including IBS and GERD; a neck condition; and a right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to a single disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he had a single service-connected disability that rendered him unable to work. The issue of an effective date prior to July 15, 2009, for TDIU is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand all of the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or being permanently bedridden due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he did not meet the criteria under sections (1), (2), or (3) of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l). The Board concluded that the Veteran was not permanently bedridden or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's GERD ratings are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent since December 2, 2021. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected recurrent pregnancy loss.,Her initial increased rating for recurrent pregnancy loss is granted, with a noncompensable rating assigned.

The Veteran's GERD, heart disease, and sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected Parkinson's disease. The Board is remanding the claims for hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal concerning the service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlarged prostate) as secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including hypertension, temporomandibular joint syndrome with bruxism (TMJ), and cervical myofascial pain. The remand requires an updated VA examination to address the Veteran's scholarly material and the effects of medications on his enlarged prostate.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied because he is not in need of such assistance due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that while the Veteran requires some help with daily activities, he does not meet the criteria for needing regular aid and attendance.

The Board has denied service connection for right upper and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, finding no current disability. The claims for right lower and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the case before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, GERD, Hypertension, and Erectile Dysfunction due to insufficient evidence regarding the claimed in-service stressor. The AOJ is instructed to attempt verification of the Veteran's reported stressor involving a motor vehicle collision resulting in a soldier's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus, a bilateral eye disability, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The evidence did not support an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to care for his daily personal needs without assistance from others or unable to protect himself from the hazards and dangers of daily living on a regular basis.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder.,There is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss for VA disability purposes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant and his representative.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for GERD, effective from the date of the March 2024 AOJ decision. The Veteran's GERD resulted in persistently recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia, pyrosis, and regurgitation, which interfered with his job performance.